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Key veterans returning to Trax

July 29, 2004 - SPHL (SPHL)
Macon Trax News Release


[Macon, Ga.]—Trax Head Coach Tommy Stewart said throughout the 2003-04 season that he loved his veteran leadership and thought he had the best forwards in the league. He decided to build the 2004-05 team with some of those same leaders.

Returning for their second season in Macon are Steve Zoryk and John Gurskis. Both players are considered veterans by Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) standards since they have played in over 210 games.

Zoryk signs his agreement with the Trax in the middle of a busy summer. He will be married this month to his long time sweetheart Angela Hoffman before taking the ice hoping to put up the same offensive numbers he did last season.

In 55 games Zoryk registered 72 points (33G, 39A), good for second on the team. The Timmons, Ontario native anchored the Trax power play last season with 13 power play goals, second in the WHA2. The 6'2" 220-pound forward continued his great play into the playoffs where he led all playoff scorers with 7 points (3G, 4A).

"Zoryk was definitely one of the best forwards in the league throughout the whole season." said Stewart, "He was consistently among the league's top scorers the entire season. I also knew I could really count on "Z" to be a leader off the ice for my team."

Stewart will also have his player/assistant coach back on the ice this season. Gurskis decided to delay his retirement and come back to the Trax, his seventh in professional hockey.

Gurskis was third on the Trax in points last year with 58 (23G, 35A). The Boston area native became Stewart's sounding board throughout the season.

"Johnny got a lot of abuse from me last year that no other player had to deal with, listening to me about everything." Said Stewart, "Besides his natural leadership skills, he does some great things on the ice that often go unnoticed. He will be one of the best players in the league on the power play and the penalty kill."

With the SPHL summer meetings over and salary cap rules made, Stewart expects to have his returning players signed in the coming weeks. The fans in Macon can expect to see many of the great players who made the championship run last season back in black.

Season tickets and corporate packages for the 2004-05 season are on sale now for as low as $99. To be a part of exciting Macon Trax hockey call the office at 478-742-4849.



SPHL Stories from July 29, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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